Uncertainty leads to suspension of educational activities

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Islamabad - The uncertain law and order situation has caused suspension of educational activities in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi as majority of educational institutions, including secondary and higher education institutes, announced their closure on Monday.

The sudden closure of educational institutions not only led to suspension of ongoing exams in some institutes but the students also remained stuck in their hostels and could not move to their homes due to absence of transport.

The Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) due to uncertain security situation in the city announced one day closure of the educational institutions. Minister of State for Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) Tariq Fazal Chaudhry directed the FDE head to shut down all institutions.

Around 422 public sector educational institutions are working under the FDE and a number of them are conducting exams. The ongoing sit-in of Tehreek-e-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah has already multiplied miseries of the students enrolled in nearby sectors of Faizabad.

According to a notification, “The FDE hereby announced that all 423 educational institutions under the administrative control of FDE shall remain close tomorrow (November 27, 2017) owing to the current law and order situation”.

Due to seizure of Faizabad interchange, students commuting from Sohan and nearby areas were compelled to walk kilometres to reach public transport.

The transport service of educational institutions was also suspended putting extra-financial burden on students.

Meanwhile, number of institutions, including Islamabad Model College (IMCB) I-8, H-8 and others were conducting the exams also. The minister added that the announcement was made to avoid any untoward situation. Similarly, Private Schools Association (PSA) also announced one day closure of the institutions.

Secretary PSA Abdul Waheed said that all private educational institutions will remain close on Monday because of current situation in the city.

He said the decision of opening of the private schools would be taken after observing the situation on November 27. He said that institutions were not ready to take risk in this uncertain situation and will reschedule exams. A number of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) also announced one day closure of the institutions owing to current situation in the city. Federal Urdu University of Science & Technology (FUUST) circulated a message amongst faculty, staff and students regarding closure of the institute.

The message stated: “Dear faculty/staff & students, as per the instructions of VC tomorrow (Monday, November 27, 2017) university will remain off due to violent condition of the city and blockage of roads and traffic”.

Allama Iqbal Open University also suspended all academic activities for two days. The university suspended all exams being held on Monday and Tuesday. The university administration announced that new schedule of exams will be issued later.

Similarly, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU) also suspended exams, which were earlier scheduled from Monday. The administration will upload a new date sheet for candidates after normalcy in the city.

Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) International Islamic University (IIU), National University of Science & Technology (NUST) Riphah International, Comsats and Air University also directed all staff and students regarding closure of institutions on Monday. Meanwhile, the Punjab government has decided to keep all the educational institutions close for next two days (Monday and Tuesday) due to deteriorating law and order situation after police and paramilitary forces operation against Tehreek-e-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah activists staging sit-in at Faizabad Interchange.

A notification in this regard has been issued by the Punjab Education Minister Rana Mashood, informed a spokesman man of district government here on Sunday. Meanwhile, Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education Rawalpindi (BISER) has also postponed the practical exams of students.

According to details, the provincial government has announced to close all the schools, colleges and universities across the province including in Rawalpindi division keeping in view the poor law and order situation in the country aftermath of police action against TLYR activists staging sit-in at Faizabad Interchage. As per notification No.So (A-1)1-31/2008, issued by Punjab government, “Due to prevailing law and order situation in the country, the competent authority has been pleased to direct that all public and privately managed schools in Punjab shall remain closed for two days i.e on November 27-28, 2017,”

On the other hand, the BISE Rawalpindi has postponed practical of Statistics and Chemistry scheduled on November 27 and 28, 2017 due to current prevailing situation in the city. “New date of practical will be announced later on,” said BISE Spokesman Arslan Cheema.